Record Snow For Steamboat Ski Resort, More On The Way

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) – It’s not the wind but snow that’s causing problems around Steamboat Springs. Four feet has fallen in just the past three days. But it’s welcome news to skiers and boarders.

A slow start to the season has affected more than just the resort. Business has been slow for many shops in town until this past weekend when the snow really started coming down.

“November, December, January — my mom lives in Denver and she’d say, ‘I have 20 inches of snow on my deck.’ And I’m thinking, ‘We didn’t get anything.’ Then all of a sudden, here it is.” Todd Fellows with Ski Haus said.

The snow started falling Sunday night, but by Monday morning it had come down at a record pace.

“This has been a phenomenal week in Steamboat — four feet of snow in 3 days — it’s winter finally catching up to the ski resort,” Loryn Kasten with Steamboat Ski Resort said.

Fellows says business spiked at Ski Haus the second the snow started and hasn’t slowed since.

“When it snows we sell skis, we sell boats, we sell equipment,” Fellow said. “When it doesn’t, what’s the point? What’s the need?”

The need appeared earlier in the week and has slightly shifted since the last storm system came with more moisture.

“This snow from last night has a little more water content in it, it’s a little bit denser, so we can finally make snowballs and snowmen, which is something we rarely get to do in Steamboat,” Kasten said.

“It’ll allow us to get into April when we’re supposed to close and still have some snow on the mountain,” Fellows said. “It’s certainly going to save Steamboat’s season.”

The snow took a brief break Wednesday but is expected to come back at night and Thursday, leaving possibly close to another foot.